August 5, 2007 8:17 AM
Maddy and I in DC
Summer's been just a whirlwind as I've been taking advantage of all the extra time to spend with my kids. Last Monday the only one home was Maddy, so we got up early and drove into DC. It's an hour drive and we went during rush hour, but it wasn't too bad. The best kept secret about where to park to sightsee in DC is Union Station. It's not too far to walk if you are fit (which this year I finally am, thank God!)
We had a wonderful day with no agenda - just stopping at places as we passed. Stopped at a St. Joseph's Church on Capitol Hill and I showed Maddy everything Catholic (genuflecting, Stations of the Cross, why Catholics pray for intercession of the saints). I must say I love being in Catholic churches - there is a magnificent feeling of the presence of God. But that is a whole other subject I'll get into one of these days.
Stopped at the National Museum of the American Indian (Tripp and I both have American Indian ancestry - along with Tripp's Scottish/Dutch and my Irish/Italian/Dutch) and watched a film and had brunch. Rather than the usual Subway/American fast food type operation, they had somewhat authentic food from different Indian cultures. Trying to stick to my diet, I ordered fish at the Northeastern station. Boy, was that a mistake, unless you like these little fish with a gazillion bones and eyeballs looking at you. Major help to keeping down the calories for me :)
Our route took us past the United States Botanic Gardens - a place I've never visited but always wanted to. It was absolutely lovely and a great place to take kids as they have a whole section dedicated to the olfactory sense where you can smell everything up close and personal. They have replicated all types of climates - from desert to jungle to primeval.
Here are snaps we took outside (I never hesitate to ask someone to take a picture of us - and always offer when I see someone being left out of a family picture because they have to take it):
I really can't urge you all enough to consider Washington DC for a family vacation. It is such a beautiful city with so many rich resources. There are the incredible buildings which house our government - the Capitol, Supreme Court, and White House. Plus memorials for just about everything and everyone important in our history. Along the lines of history, I posted a few pictures at The Miz Report as well.
The Smithsonian Institution is comprised of a multitude of museums and galleries which are free to the public.
That was where Maddy and I were headed for our DC Day. The Museum of American History - my favorite - is closed for renovations right now, but they've sent a small collection of 150 icons of American history over to the National Air and Space Museum, so we headed there, where we saw:
Lincoln's hat (worn when he was assassinated at Ford's Theater (another great place to visit):
The Ruby Slippers and Scarecrow costume:
R2D2 and C3PO:
Then we went to the Hirschhorn, which houses modern art:
I must say, this is a beautiful building filled with mostly garbage. One exhibit was a cot and pillow, all messed up like someone had slept in it. OK, so your point is? I think a lot of modern art is - to use one of my favorite metaphors these days - like The Emperor's New Clothes. Maddy couldn't believe people gained money and recognition by producing such silly, childish and pointless stuff. And all I could think about were our tax dollars at work to acquire the pieces and house them in this magnificent building.
As an antidote, we headed straight across the Mall for the National Gallery of Art. Maddy was surprised that the Mall wasn't a shopping area - I explained the orginal meaning of the word was a place where people strolled and the National Mall is magnificent - I spent many a day there at peace demonstrations in the 60s and early 70s.
Our last picture before the batteries ran out on her camera was this one of Yoko Ono's Wishing Tree in the Hirschhorn's outdoor Sculpture Garden. There were white tags and pencils for people to write their wishes on and tie they to the tree. This is art:
I read some of the wishes. My favorite: I wish Yoko Ono had not broken up the Beatles!
We had such a fun day! I love spending any kind of time with my kids - even driving them here and there around town. But it's great to get out and see something new. If you are blessed to live near a place that attracts tourists, don't forget to take your kids to experience see the richness around you. Don't leave art galleries and field trips to school field trips.
Let them have memories of sharing these experiences with you!
And those of you who live near DC or thinking of vacationing here - remember: this memorable and enriching day cost us only our gas, parking and food. There is no charge for admittance to the national museums.
Comments
I agree about modern art! The artists try so hard to find profundity in the mundane, because they have nothing higher to inspire them. It's no accident the great masters painted and sculpted so many Madonnas!
Posted by: Milehimama | August 5, 2007 10:09 AM
So glad you enjoyed your visit to our nation's capital -- and my kids' hometown! We've been living on Capitol Hill for eight years. It's a great place to raise kids, especially with all the free museums, monuments and events.
Next time you're here make sure to check out some of our favorite off-Mall attractions: National Arboretum (free!), Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (free!) and, of course, the Zoo (again, free!). And join us at Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Catholic church for one of the city's best gospel choirs.
Posted by: Molly | August 5, 2007 6:26 PM
I spent part of my childhood growing up in Woodbridge (my Mom grew up there) and then the rest in Stafford County and Fauquier County. We made many trips to D.C, as a family and with school and I know that I have still not seen everything there is to see. We now live in the Shenandoah Valley and make the trip with our kids. It is a wonderful place to vacation or just spend the day.
I love your blog and i feel like I know you from reading it. I used to work in Purcellville and my mother in law works in Middleburg. Small world.
Posted by: Bridget | August 5, 2007 8:47 PM
"And those of you who live near DC or thinking of vacationing here - remember: this memorable and enriching day cost us only our gas, parking and food. There is no charge for admittance to the national museums."
That, I have to point out, is because you, all your readers, and everyone else have already paid for it. Whenever something is free, I ask myself, is it really?
Posted by: ycw | August 6, 2007 8:04 AM
ycw - you're right of course - and I'm sure that we all realize that fact.
But the fact is you will pay for it whether you visit or not, so you might as well visit :)
Posted by: barbara | August 6, 2007 8:15 AM
How fun! I grew up in the south and we do not have the rich history like in the northeast! I have only been here for 6 yrs and love it all! We haven't been to DC lately but maybe it's time for another trip! We are near Gettysburg and my 5 y/o is starting to enjoy the history there!
Posted by: Millicent | August 6, 2007 11:20 AM
It is so great to see moms and daughters having such a great time! Daughters are sweet and precious when they are little, but what great friends they make when they grow up! Maddie is at such a fun age, all the freedom and joy of life ahead, not too many worries! You both look like you are in your element.
We have really enjoyed DC as well. I so appreciate living on the East Coast after growing up in WA state. We are so Blessed to be able to give our children firsthand the places where the birth of this great country took place.
And from an extremely happy Catholic, so glad you enjoyed a special time at St. Joseph's. You are such a welcoming person, it's nice to be able to welcome you in for a visit!
Posted by: Jennifer Merkel | August 6, 2007 2:14 PM
Barbara, you look GREAT in those pictures! You look so fit and happy.
My husband and 9-month-old daughter and I were just in DC briefly on Wednesday as a stop on a week-long road trip. We got all day Metro passes (only $6.50 each!) and rode all over the city. We jumped off at Chinatown - just because we felt like it! - found a place to get authentic dumplings, then jumped back on again. We had a lot of fun.
Posted by: Becky Miller | August 6, 2007 8:24 PM
Like you, I generally don't care for contemporary art, but it should be pointed out that the Hirshhorn Museum only exists because Joseph Hirshhorn, who made a large fortune from Canadian uranium mines and died in 1981, donated 12,000 pieces from his own collection to the government as well as a large endowment for the museum's upkeep.
Posted by: ted | August 7, 2007 2:01 AM
